The processed food and beverages industry uses physical, mechanical and chemical transformation processes to produce a wide variety of foods and beverage and raw materials that will be used to produce other foods destined for human consumption. In terms of production value, it is one of the largest manufacturing industries in North America. Often referred to under the AFI abbreviation, the food industry includes all industrial activities related to the transformation and production of products destined for human consumption such as dairy products, fruits and vegetables and meat (livestock). In addition to industrial production activities, this industry also includes different businesses and stores operating in the agri-food industry such as grocery stores, bakeries and others.